Mission Statement
The mission of the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard is:
- to collect, purchase, and distribute food for needy persons in North Gloucester and West Orleans
- to support and encourage discussion on reform and social change that would eliminate the need for emergency food assistance
- to treat all persons involved or associated with the GEFC with respect and dignity regardless of sex, gender, race, age, ability, religion, and sexual orientation.
- to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all persons involved or associated with the GEFC except when the organization is legally obligated to disclose this information.
- to make access to food conditional only on need.
Our Service
At the Gloucester Emergency Food Cupboard (GEFC), volunteers provide an emergency supply of food to people in crisis in our community. We provide food to over 400 families a month. Almost half of those people obtaining food from the GEFC are under the age of 19. The estimated value of the food provided is over $12,000 each week. In recognition that children have special needs, we also run a healthy snack program. Since the Food Cupboard opened in 1989, it has built a broad base of support which includes non-profit organizations, schools, service clubs, faith-based groups, local residents and businesses. Approximately 20% of the total food we distribute comes from the Ottawa Food Bank (a central food distribution agency), while the remainder comes from direct food donations and food purchases. Eggs and milk cost us over $500 each week. The GEFC operates its program with over 100 volunteers, one full time staff, and a summer placement student. Volunteer contributions are wide-ranging and include picking up food from grocery stores, dividing food, stocking shelves, distributing food to clients, entering data, cleaning, serving on the board of directors and participating in various fundraising activities.
